Summary of the MINUTES
of the
BOARD OF BENEVOLENCE MEETING
held in the Boardroom, 39 – 41 Ghuznee Street, Wellington
on Monday, 7th and Tuesday, 8th February 2005 commencing at 9.30am

The President extended a warm welcome to all attendees.

Financials
Financial accounts for the months of November and December were approved.

A full review of Strategic Asset Allocations for the Freemasons Fund of Benevolence’s investments has been carried out with Mercers Consulting Group. There had been some concern about the mix of investments and the S.I.P.O. Agreement. Some Fund Managers produced better results than others. The Board approved Mercer’s recommendations for investment changes. S.I.P.O Agreement is for 5% interest after inflation over the long-term and the approved changes would not affect this.

Almoners
The Board reviewed the Auckland Combined Almoners Associations Constitution and By-Laws. An Almoner’s booklet is to be compiled and tabled at the May meeting and this will be made available to all Almoners. The Booklet will contain general guidelines on what is expected of Almoners, hospital visiting, looking after widows/brethren who resided outside their Lodge District, property inspections, accounting for funds raised for a specific purpose e.g. wheelchairs/mobility scooters, loan agreements for equipment, insurance and maintenance, to keeping accounts. Generally, almoning was geared towards the elderly and this needed phasing out by demonstrating a caring Lodge/Association that cares for all the Members and Widows regardless of age and where they resided. Once the Booklet is available, the Board will hold Seminars for Almoners in at least four centres.

It was reported that Hospital Packs had been first introduced through a Blenheim Lodge as a local Lodge Project. Demand for Hospital Packs for Hospital A & E Departments throughout the South Island had grown and funds had been used from the Divisional Bulk Almoners Account to purchase these. The Packs were given to patients who arrived at hospital without toiletries and were hospitalized 10 – 24 hours without next of kin being there. The current cost of each packet was $5.50. The President stated that Board approval for reimbursement of the cost of the cost Hospital Packs was not automatic, and that if the other two Divisions came up with another similar type project within their Division, they would need to write to the Board first outlining their project before going ahead. The Publicity Committee is to be asked to research this as a possible national project.

District Masonic Trusts
Wellington Villages Trust made presentation to the Board covering all Masonic Retirement Villages in the Central Division. It was stated that lack of Government funding was affecting the viability of the retirement Homes. It was noted that Presbyterians, Methodists, RSA, Salvation Army and some Catholic Orders have sold their retirement homes for this reason. Mr Warwick Dunn, Chief Executive for Wellington Villages Trust thanked Freemasons for their ongoing support.

Chair of Gerontology - Summer Studentship
An Annual General meeting is being arranged in early March to discuss the future of the Chair of Gerontology. The new Professor of Gerontology has just been announced. He is Dr Martin Connolly from the UK and will take up the post in Mid-year.

Ratification of Grants
The Board ratified monthly schedules of grants made during the months of November (-$500 due to a grant being returned) and December ($11,494) and Lodge Projects ($18,150) Total grants by Division - Northern Division $25,049, Central Division $950, Southern Division $3,145.

Individual Grants approved by the Board
The Board reviewed an application which had been submitted before all the facts had been known. The District Benevolence Officer has been asked to monitor the situation and resubmitted a new application showing the application’s current financial situation, should the need arise.

Three other applications were considered with grants totaling $14,500 being approved for Tertiary Assistance for triplets/Special Needs Secondary School costs $12,000 and Medical $2,500.

Lodge, Group and District Projects
The Board considered six projects ‘Approved in Principle’ and approved five projects. Projects covered identifying jackets for Victim Support Workers, a Syringe Driver, 2x wheelchairs and 2x hospital beds. The sixth project was declined as the Lodge had failed to check the Board of Benevolence’s Policy Statement, prior to asking for a 2:1 subsidy. To avoid this situation happening again it was suggested that the Lodge forward the FORM 3A to their District Benevolence Officer for checking that it complies with Board Policy prior to sending it to the Grand Lodge Office.

The Board approved a Lodge Project for a patient lifter in a Masonic Home ($4,300), and this subject to the FORM 3 being completed in full. In future the Board will not consider funding projects unless the Form is completed properly.

Special Support Loans
The Board approved a grant for General Relief at the December meeting and on receipt of further information the Board approved by Email a Special Support Loan in lieu of the grant.

Secured Loans
Brethren undertaking an Annual property inspection on behalf of the Board are to be asked to have a letter signed by the mortgagee acknowledging their debt. This has been something that has been overlooked in recent years and it is a requirement under Section 20 of the Land Transfer Act 1952.

Mobility Scooters
Divisional Benevolence Officers are to be asked to compile a list of mobility scooters and wheelchairs held by Lodges and Almoners Associations together with a contact details. The reason for this list is to facilitate the loan of a wheelchair to people in deteriating health by providing a database of wheelchair availability.

The Board is to ask the Grand Registrar for his comments on a general Agreement for hiring mobility scooters and wheelchairs together with insurance cover against material damage.

Benevolence Seminar
The Board is to hold a Seminar for District Benevolence Officers on Saturday, 7th May 2005. Divisional and District Benevolence Officers will be notified when details have been finalised.